The British Journal of Nutrition recently published an article which suggests that consuming marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or fish oil supplements will probably aid in relieving at least some of the symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors of the review, Elizabeth A. Milesa and Philip C. Calder of the University of Southampton in the UK, claim that the omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid is a precursor of inflammatory eicosanoids in rheumatoid arthritis pathology.

According to the authors, some therapies make use of marine omega 3 (n-3) PUFAs, mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), found in cold-water fish oils.  These marine n-3s have been shown to decrease the cellular content of arachidonic acid involved in the immune response system and lower the production of inflammatory eicosanoids from the arachidonic acid present in the body.

Studies have shown that eicosanoid mediators produced from EPA are less inflammatory than those which are derived from arachidonic acid, and that both EPA and DHA lead to the formation of resolvins that help protect against inflammation.

The authors also believe marine n-3 PUFAs can be beneficial for other aspects of inflammation and immunity related to rheumatoid arthritis, including T cell and dendritic cell function and the production of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species.

Results from early studies show fish oil slows the development and/or progression of rheumatoid arthritis in study animals and reduces the severity of this disabling disease.  Thecurrent research was accomplished through randomized controlled trials of marine n-3 PUFAs in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors conclude their research by stating, “Evidence is seen for a fairly consistent, but modest, benefit of marine n-3 PUFAs on joint swelling and pain, duration of morning stiffness, global assessments of pain and disease activity, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.”

This particular form of arthritis has symptoms including swelling, pain, and stiffness, along with loss of function in the joints.  While rheumatoid arthritis can be found in any joint, it is most commonly known to occur in the fingers and wrists.

Women have a higher incidence of rheumatoid arthritis than men.

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